Suspect arrested in investigation of worthless checks 07-09-05

COUPLE ARRESTED – Michael W. Mara, 29, and Natasha M. Catriz, 19, have been arrested in connection with an investigation of a case in which nearly $13,500 in worthless checks has been passed at various business establishments around the island.

MEDIA RELEASE

Big Island police Saturday morning (July 9, 2005) arrested a 29-year-old male suspect wanted in the investigation of a case in which thousands of dollars in bad checks were passed around the island.

The suspect was identified as Michael W. Mara, who was arrested at a private Hilo address after police received a tip from a resident who recognized the suspect from a newspaper story.

Mara is being held in the Hilo police cellblock pending charges.

He is the second person to be arrested in connection with the investigation. His girlfriend, Natasha M. Catriz, 19, was arrested Wednesday at a hotel in Kailua-Kona. Held in the Kona police cellblock without bail, Catriz was transferred to the Hawaii Community Correctional Center and her bail was reduced to $3,000. She posted bail and was released before East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section detectives were able to speak with her relative to the investigation. The police are asking for the public’s continued assistance in locating Catriz.

The couple had been sought in an investigation of a case in which nearly $13,500 in worthless checks had been passed at various business establishments around the island.

Police thanked the person who tipped them off to Mara’s whereabouts.

Lieutenant Randall Medeiros, head of the East Hawaii CIS, said: “We really appreciate the tip on Mara’s whereabouts. Conscientious citizens such as these make it easier for police officers to apprehend wrongdoers and bring them to justice. We in the police department salute this individual.”